‘Pushpa: The Rule’ Movie Review

‘Pushpa: The Rule’ is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated films in recent times. Following the massive pan-India success of its Part 1, Pushpa: The Rise, three years ago, the sequel arrives amidst sky-high expectations. As it finally hits the screens, let’s explore whether Pushpa 2 lives up to the immense hype surrounding it.

Story:

Pushpa (Allu Arjun), once a modest labourer, now stands as the undisputed leader of the red sandalwood syndicate. His dominance, however, is relentlessly challenged by SP Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat (Fahadh Faasil), whose mission to dismantle Pushpa’s empire intensifies with every clash. The tension reaches a boiling point when a key syndicate member is mysteriously murdered, forcing the group to seek Pushpa’s intervention. Yet, Pushpa’s unusual response only deepens the intrigue and sets the stage for unforeseen consequences.

Story Analysis:

Pushpa: The Rise showcases a compelling journey where the protagonist evolves from a humble labourer to a formidable don dominating the red sandalwood syndicate. The narrative is packed with numerous twists, a host of antagonists, and an array of challenges that the hero overcomes. It blends an emotional backstory about his lack of a family name with a tender love story, crafting a multi-faceted tale. Sukumar’s storytelling ties these threads together into an engaging package. Despite minor flaws, the extensive narrative, coupled with thrilling elevations and explosive action sequences, delivers a high-octane cinematic experience. By the film’s end, however, the hero has already achieved towering success, leaving limited scope for a follow-up journey in the sequel.

In Pushpa: The Rule, the challenge lies in maintaining the momentum when the underdog-to-victor arc is no longer an option. Stories like Pushpa thrive on depicting a hero’s rise from scratch, but exploring the life of someone already at the top offers less narrative excitement. Aware of this limitation, Sukumar shifts the focus to grand, standalone episodes. He compensates for the thin storyline by crafting high-voltage elevation scenes and thrilling action sequences that resonate with mass appeal, ensuring the sequel retains its box-office prowess despite the narrative constraints.

What distinguishes Sukumar’s style is his mastery of logical mass appeal. His action sequences, while over-the-top, never feel baseless. Hero elevations are justified, and even the most exaggerated scenes have a reasoning that adds credibility. In Pushpa: The Rule, this finesse shines through episodes like Pushpa rescuing captives from Shekhawat’s station. Instead of causing chaos, he employs a strategic, calculated approach, turning a seemingly ordinary moment into a cinematic spectacle.

Similarly, Pushpa’s refusal to apologize to Shekhawat, despite the opportunity to settle scores, results in an explosive and unforgettable sequence that leaves the audience spellbound. Although the sequel struggles with a lack of a substantial story, Sukumar makes up for it with engaging episodes and unexpected twists. Many scenes start predictably but evolve with sharp dialogues and lightning-fast resolutions that catch viewers off guard. The core conflict—Pushpa versus Shekhawat—dominates the narrative, as hinted at the end of Pushpa: The Rise. Sukumar elevates this rivalry into a gripping power struggle, using innovative elevations to keep the masses hooked.

The sequel might lack the layered storytelling of its predecessor, but it delivers a feast of rush-pumping sequences, ensuring the audience walks away entertained.

Performances:

Allu Arjun’s portrayal of Pushpa is undoubtedly a career-defining milestone. His seamless transformation into the character is so profound that it feels like Allu Arjun terminates to exist, leaving only Pushpa on screen. His unique attitude, mannerisms, and subtle expressions elevate the role to another level.

The Jatara episode stands out as a highlight, where Bunny’s intense performance captures the essence of Pushpa’s ego and pride with sheer brilliance. Rashmika Mandanna once again shines as Srivalli, bringing a mix of charm and emotional depth to her character. She ups the glamour quotient compared to the first part while holding her own alongside Allu Arjun, especially in the impactful Jatara sequence. Fahadh Faasil delivers a stellar performance as the antagonist, commanding attention every time he appears on screen with his threatening vibe and layered acting. Rao Ramesh’s role has been expanded significantly compared to Pushpa: The Rise, and he delivers an impressive performance.

While Jagapathi Babu’s portrayal felt slightly over-the-top, Ajay left a mark in the climactic sequence. Jagadish does justice to his role as Pushpa’s loyal friend Kesava, and Tarak Ponnappa stands out even with limited screen time. Sunil and Anasuya’s roles were relatively minor, offering little scope for standout moments.

Meanwhile, Sreeleela’s electrifying performance in the “Kisik” song stole the show, sending fans into a frenzy. The supporting cast, though satisfactory, largely played second play to the lead performances.

Technicians:

From a technical standpoint, Pushpa: The Rule delivers a solid performance. Devi Sri Prasad’s music is a significant asset, with songs like ”Peelings” and ”Kisik” standing out as both auditory and visual treats. The title track is engaging, and the melody of ”Susseki” is soothing, although its filming offers a mixed experience. Devi’s background score is a powerhouse, especially in the fair episode and the climactic sequences, where his pulsating beats amplify the mass appeal and elevate the high-octane moments.

Cinematographer Miroslaw Kuba Brozek’s work is exceptional, presenting stunning visuals that enhance the movie’s grandeur. The art direction is equally commendable, with the fair episode standing as a testament to the combined brilliance of the art director and cinematographer. The production values by Mythri Movie Makers are top-notch, sparing no expense to create an immersive cinematic experience. The lyrics and dialogues add emotional depth to the narrative.

Srivalli’s poignant question, ”What is Sami’s dream?” and Pushpa’s gut-wrenching expression of his yearning for a family name are emotionally impactful. Similarly, Pushpa’s powerful dialogue about standing tall even after boarding a helicopter resonates deeply with the audience. Sukumar’s trademark touch is evident throughout the film.

While he enlisted extensive support for script design, his distinctive style is stamped across the mass-elevation scenes. Though the storytelling lacks the finesse and brilliance of Rangasthalam, Sukumar compensates by delivering crowd-pleasing sequences. Rather than focusing solely on intellectual brilliance, Sukumar has opted for an approach that caters to the masses, striking a balance between entertainment and scale.

Verdict: Pushpa-2 is a thrilling Mass Jatara of power and style.